Ran 4 miles this morning on the trail and did 45 second intervals of increasing speed. It was so hot and muggy at 6:30 a.m. I couldn't believe it. After only 4 miles, I was literally pouring in sweat. But our running coaches tell us that all of this training will pay off in the Fall when the temperatures cool. Plus, I love the way that running wakes me up in the morning. It's seems to help the O2 reach my brain or something.
Happy trails everyone.

Well, fast is relative. I like to THINK I'm fast- even though I know I'm not. And I definitely want to continue to try to dig deep.... no letting up or wimping out.

Training is going well. I'm on week 9 of a 21 week training program for Chicago. So far, I've been averaging about 30 miles a week with this week topping out at 42 miles a week. I've run two short races: the Cascades 10K (May 26th) where I ran my slowest 10K time ever: 56:00- just wasn't my day. too hot and too early on in the training to take advantage of improving fitness.

I also ran the Twilight 4 miler (june 23rd) in 34:14- an 8:30 average pace. I knew I was in trouble as I was chatting with someone who is MUCH faster than me and mile 1 came in at 7:12- no way could I maintain that- not even for just 4 miles. Who knew that the death march that is typically reserved for the last 3 miles of a marathon could also happen in a race that's just 4 miles? :)

My long runs have been between 10-14 miles. Yesterday, I ran 16 miles and it felt like an accomplishment. I think it was 90 degrees when we finished at 9:30 a.m. Doesn't seem to matter how many marathons you've run- when you hit the longer distances, it still feels like a big deal. Or at least it feels that way to me. :) Today I have what runners call a badge of honor- which is just a weird way to say that I have a purple toe. Ahh... the pain that we runners inflict on ourselves.... but it's all worth it in the end.